A viewing is 15 or 20 minutes, often with other buyers in the room. Go in with your questions ready.
Ask the agent
- Why are the sellers selling, and how soon do they want to move?
- How long has it been on the market? Has the price changed?
- Have there been any offers? What's the highest so far?
- How will the seller decide? Is there a date?
- What's included: curtains, appliances, furniture?
- Is there planning permission for any extensions? Is there a certificate of compliance?
- What is the BER, and are there any recent works (roof, windows, heating, wiring)?
- For an apartment: what is the service charge, and is there a sinking fund?
Check yourself
- Damp: smell, marks on ceilings and in corners, fresh paint in odd places.
- Windows and doors: do they close properly? Single or double glazing?
- Heating: what type, how old is the boiler, is there a heat pump?
- Water pressure: run a tap and flush a toilet.
- Light and noise: the aspect of the garden, the road outside, the neighbours.
- The area at a different time of day. See what homes near you sold for.
- Planning: look up the planning history of the address on Planning Register, our sister site: the extensions that were granted, anything refused, and what's planned next door.
After the viewing
Write down what you learnt while it's fresh, and send the agent any questions you didn't get to by email, so the answers are in writing. If you want to bid, see how bidding works in Ireland.